BRIGG NEEDS TO BE PREPARED FOR 'WORST WINTER IN DECADES'

Brigg suffered significant snow on November 29, 2010 

Brigg folk drew back the curtains this morning to be confronted by another bad weather day - wind not as strong as recently but leaden skies and heavy periods of rain.
Then those of us who bought today's Daily Express were confronted by a front page story about the worst winter in decades being forecast, with heavy snow on its way in November. Depressing reading!
Today's rain is sure to hit sales on Brigg market and many small town centre shops, but at least it hasn't coincided with our monthly farmers' market when so many come to town..
Since that terrible winter a few years ago when heavy snow blocked the streets for days before some action was finally taken to bring in the heavy machinery, North Lincolnshire Council, our highway authority, is now better prepared. 
So if the gloomy forecast in the Express proves accurate we can expect fewer problems with snow being allowed to rest deep and crisp and even on estates roads.
We have been told there are quad bikes available to tackle ice on the paths and a willingness to call in contractors with heavier machinery to clear accumulations of the white stuff.
Brigg Town Council and the North Lincolnshire unitary authority have also got together to install some salting bins at key points, into which householders, spades in hand, can dip and spread the contents on our paths to help tackle the problem. These bins will be topped up by council staff, as the need arises.
Heavy snow in November is unusual but you don't have to go back many years to know that it does happen, particularly at the end of the month.
Occasionally it comes earlier than that. We well remember playing in a school football match at Brigg Grammar School one Friday afternoon in the middle of November 1971 when heavy snow came down. This was a different era - we played in all weathers. And we had no complaints. The game was duly completed, despite the pitch markings being difficult to see by the end. Gerry Longden, renowned and respected PE master, was in charge. 
We can remember this school game because the following day we travelled to York to watch the FA Cup first round clash with Grimsby Town, which was only just completed because of heavy snow showers. York won 4-2. And having  just looked up the date of that tie we can reveal that Brigg had significant snow on November 19, 1971. The end of the ground where they put the Grimsby fans was standing only and uncovered. Just another example of the good old days. What hardy souls we were in the days before 'elf and safety! If memory serves us correctly, a few seasons ago they called off a Premiership game because of slippery conditions on the roads leading to the ground. I rest my case!

We liked the Twitter comment from Brigg shop Climatise today: "The British weather is finally here. Why not visit http://www.climatise.biz  to check out our waterproof collections."

Brigg hockey player  Mark  Dawson messaged this morning: "On the road with @brigghockeyclub - lovely weather for a spot of hockey #ifyouraduck."

Meanwhile, down in London, the Scunthorpe Telegraph's Brigg reporter, Richard Sharpe, Tweeted: "The footballing gods are shining on us today. Every train at Kings Cross cancelled apart from ours. Looks like we'll get back for the game." (We think he means Rotherham United)

1.15pm Saturday: No let up in the weather.... Humberside Airport, Kirmington, Tweeted about a flight: "Kl1490 is now cancelled due to poor visibility." 

2pm: Grimsby Telegraph - Power cuts and toppled trees as 60mph batter North East Lincolnshire http://bit.ly/1bllUlI